The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
Exciting illuminations are looming this weekend, writes Natasha Mckim
With Halloween and Bonfire Night now out of the way, anticipation is well and truly building for Christmas. However you plan on celebrating the festive time of year, Inverness is holding a host of exciting events to chase away the winter grumbles and bring some cheer.
Santa visits Inverness this Sunday as he helps Provost Helen Carmichael to turn on the splendid light display in the city. Throughout the run-up to the big day, there are many plans for fantastic events for the whole family, but the switch on of the Christmas lights is definitely a highlight.
The Christmas Torch light Procession will leave Crown Primary School at 5.45 pm on Sunday, November 19, and make their way to the Town House. Families are invited to join Santa and host Nicola McAlley, from STV, at 5.15pm, before the parade gets started, along with City of Inverness Senior and Youth Pipe Bands who will make sure everyone knows they are coming!
Warm up your voices for the annual Carol Service at the Old High Church at 6.30pm, where Rev Peter Nimmo and the choir will lead rousing renditions of some of our favourite carols.
Drivers are asked to please arrive early if they want to use the car parks in the city centre and the Town House Car Park will be closed during event preparations, so make sure you plan ahead of your visit. A number of road closures will also be in place which you can check atwww. inverness festivals. com/ winter 08/ blog/ index.php
Also taking place this weekend is the Craft Fair at Eden Court. Get some of your shopping list ticked off while also supporting local designers. You will find a range of arts, crafts and foods all under the one roof, with more than 80 exhibitors joining in across the three days. With products handmade in Scotland and the event, which takes place from November 17 to 19, supporting Highland Hospice, it is a great way to spread festive goodwill and grab goodies for your loved ones.
Santa is very busy this weekend and will be swinging by Buckie for their Christmas Light Switch On this Saturday. With a parade, craft stalls and live music, there will be plenty for the family to enjoy before the lights get switched on at 5pm.
PLANNING AHEAD
Put the Elgin Christmas Light Switch On into your diaries. Taking place in the city centre on November 25, there will be entertainment for the whole family from 11am. Santa will be in town with a reindeer parade and market stalls will be up so you can enjoy a day out before the illuminations are switched on at 4pm.
Also taking place next weekend will be the Forres Christmas Light Switch On. On November 25, there will be entertainment and Santa will be flying in before the lights go on at 5pm.
There is no end to the exciting events going on, and that also includes the Winter Wonderland at Whin Park from December 15 to 17. See the park transformed as Santa takes time out of his busy schedule to visit, along with his reindeer and some of his friends.
Everyone loves a good pantomime and revellers in Inverness are no different. From December 5 to 29, Eden Court will be the home of an evil villain, a panto dame and, hopefully, a happily ever after, when Snow White starts.
Santa is very busy this weekend and will be swinging by Buckie for their Christmas Light Switch On this Saturday